Last week, when I was cleaning out my closet, I came across a news clipping that featured my photograph from the Arab Woman Award 2011 ceremony, when I won in the young fashion designer category.
At the time, it had only been a year since I ventured into entrepreneurship, and my business was gaining momentum. My clothing line was sold on my e-commerce website in the UAE as well as in several other countries across the region. I broke even within less than a year after launching my fashion business.
However, so much has changed since I started my entrepreneurship journey in 2010. In fact, a lot has changed in this year alone. While being an entrepreneur in the past decade has taken me to some of the highest points of my life, it has dragged me through some challenging moments where I have questioned my purpose and my leadership skills.
As I looked at the photo of me smiling and carrying the trophy in my hand, I reflected on everything the past decade has taught me. What has becoming an entrepreneur at a young age taught me? What advice would I give people starting out this decade? Would I change anything if I have to do it all over again?
Here are my key takeaways:
Success takes time
Though my fashion business broke even fairly quickly, it’s not always the case. For example, another business I started took a longer time in comparison. Keeping in mind that things may take longer than expected even if you had planned everything right, will help ease your mind and keep you focused.
You will not have all the answers and it’s okay to ask for help
I loved to learn, and I possess a diverse set of skills from design to web programming, but there is still so much that I do not know and understand. Though that bothered me at the beginning of my journey – it made me feel as I thought I failed somehow – but I realised that it is fine to not be able to do everything.
Focus on what you do best and let others handle what they are best at. Initially, I was shy of asking for help. I did not want to appear weak and I avoided asking for guidance for a while until it started affecting my work. Even the best entrepreneurs around the world have a team or people they confide in and consult. This is where it is important to keep in mind to be humble and allow others to help. Two heads think better than one, and will help save you time instead of dwelling on a problem and wasting your time.
Make time to learn
It is important to ask people for help and advice, but that does not mean that you should stop learning. Learning is a never-ending process. The more you learn, the wider your perspective is, and the faster you can come up with solutions.
People introduce you to opportunities
My mother always advised me to expand my network. She told me that meeting people leads to friendships and also to opportunities you may not know existed before. She also told me that achieving your goals would be faster when you have others helping you throughout.
An entrepreneur told me once that she makes it a point to meet a new person every single day. So, attend networking events, business-related events, social events, whether offline or online. That is where I met some of my now close friends and was introduced to great business opportunities.
When things get rough, remember why you started
A lot has changed for me over the past decade. There were times when I felt like I lost control over everything, and there were times when I questioned why I was doing what I was doing, when I could have a stable, normal job. Always remember your purpose. Why did you start this business? Place that in front of every thought, make it your computer's background, or tap it to your bathroom mirror.
As important as it is to remain focused, do not forget to enjoy the ride. Seek help when needed and learn as you go. As challenging as it had been, I would not trade this journey for anything else.
Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati journalist and entrepreneur, who manages her marketing and communications company in Abu Dhabi.
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Fireball
Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.
A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.
"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.
Williams at Wimbledon
Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)
Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
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'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
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Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
